Robbie Burns Day & The Bookish Buzz

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For a family with a Scottish last name, we have very little Scottish paraphernalia. My husband doesn't even drink Scotch! These items are Scotland related in some way. I'll let you guess how. Leave your guesses in the comments.

Why the Scot post? It's Robbie Burns Day! He was born on this day 1759 in Scotland and was a prolific writer of poetry. To celebrate the day, throw on a kilt, down a glass of scotch and *gulp* partake of some haggis. Here's Robbie's thoughts on haggis (translated):

Address to a Haggis

Fair is your honest happy face
Great chieftain of the pudding race
Above them all you take your place
Stomach, tripe or guts
Well are you worthy of a grace
As long as my arm

The groaning platter there you fill
Your buttocks like a distant hill
Your skewer would help to repair a mill
In time of need
While through your pores the juices emerge
Like amber beads

His knife having seen hard labour wipes
And cuts you up with great skill
Digging into your gushing insides bright
Like any ditch
And then oh what a glorious sight
Warm steaming, rich

Then spoon for spoon
They stretch and strive
Devil take the last man, on they drive
Until all their well swollen bellies
Are bent like drums
Then, the old gent most likely to rift (burp)
Be thanked, mumbles

Is there that over his French Ragout
Or olio that would sicken a pig
Or fricassee would make her vomit
With perfect disgust
Looks down with a sneering scornful opinion
On such a dinner

Poor devil, see him over his trash
As week as a withered rush (reed)
His spindle-shank a good whiplash
His clenched fist.the size of a nut.
Through a bloody flood and battle field to dash
Oh how unfit

But take note of the strong haggis fed Scot
The trembling earth resounds his tread
Clasped in his large fist a blade
He'll make it whistle
And legs and arms and heads he will cut off
Like the tops of thistles

You powers who make mankind your care
And dish them out their meals
Old Scotland wants no watery food
That splashes in dishes
But if you wish her grateful prayer
Give her a haggis!

Ugh. Ok, onto the book news:

Stephen King's Duma Key was released on Tuesday. I watched this interview on The Today Show.

The BBC is about to start production of a new adaptation of Tess of the D'Ubervilles. Thanks to the Bronte Blog for the heads up.

Dewey and the Book Ninja are giving away 2 books to promote February's Bookworm Carnival: The Geography of Make-Believe: A Fantastic Voyage through the Magical, Mythical and Mystical (aka Speculative Fiction) The deadline is February 8th, email thebookninja at gmail dot com.

Speaking of Giveaways: Check out A Reader's Journal for a Colleen Gleason giveaway. Jen gives away a signed copy of Joanna Bourne's The Spymaster's Lady. Don't let the shirtless dude put you off. It's getting rave reviews in Romancelandia. And Jo is one talented lady. Ends today.

Eva from A Striped Armchair created this cute reading meme and there's a giveaway.

This Sunday is Family Literacy Day here in Canada. Read together this weekend.

Was the haggis poem enough? No? Okay, if you're American the Scots got your back. They're lobbying to have the haggis ban lifted.

Have a great weekend folks!